The Portland daily press., 1887-07-09

lChicago Tribune
When Bishop Worthington of Omaha was
a young man he devoted his attention to
missionary work on the Western frontier.
AS can be imagined the experiences he en-
countered there were exceeding novel and
made a deep impression on the mind of
the highly cultivated young man fresh
from the educational institutions of the
East The Bishop, however, had the happy
faculty--so essential to men of his calling
of adapting himself to his surroundings. He
is capital racounteur, and nothing delights
him more than to relate how the first church
In Butte, Mont, was built.
AT that time," said he the other day, II
was theological fiedgling, but l had seen
enough of the West to know that many a
kind heart was concealed by rough exteri-
or, and could excuse great many of the
oaths uttered, as knew they were used un-
consciously and were characteristic of no
profanity. Butte was then a typical from
tier town, its principal business being gam
bling and whiskey selling. talked to the
men IN plain, cOmmOn-senSe manner let
ting theological doctrines severely alone. AT
first didn't try to force religion down their
Threats, but contented myself with subjects
OF general interest to the town-told them
stories to point moral, and, in fact, gradu-
ally won their confidence. My pulpit was a
pine box and the blue arch Of heaven my
roof. One day the biggest gambler in town
who was dubbed s'Short-Card jake" called
me to ono side for a private conversation.
Parson,' said he, Il kind of cotton to
you. Yer rustler an you've been a-talkin'
sense. Come round to my ranch-the Inter
national--to-night an IN show yer whar
yer can do some good
Il assented to the proposition and at the
appointed hour | was at the place. There
were dozen different gambling dens in full
blast and money was changing hands with
great rapidlty. My friend Jake was dealing
faro, but as soon as he saw me he left his
seat and came over to where was standing.
Farson, said he, I'm gWineter build yer
a church. It's cussed shame for yer to be
preachin' out in the open air while us ga
loots hez got the chips to house ye.'
Jake then mounted an appended barrel and
firing his revolver through the roof, said:
Boys, I'm gwineter make little speech. l
amt mucn shakes on the talk, but Pm
gwineter do the best knows how. don't
take no stock in religion, but believes in
giving every man fair show for his dust.
NOW, here's the parson, weak, puny thing,
who don't know brace-box from a roulet
wheel, but he's SOAR. He amt been :nosey-
in round tryin' to interfere with us, am
propose to build him a church. What's
more, propose to have you help do it. You
all knows me. kin play cards an kin
shoot, and If any galoot don't believe it I'll
SHOW MN rlgnt quick. NOW boys, L propose
that each game has rake-off for the par
sons church. Every man holdin' two pair
or better'H put a chip in the kitty. 1t WON'T
hurt We, boys, an yer may be glad of it by
andy; Now parson,' turning to me, you go
an take snooze. Needn't be afraid o.
gettin' gouged, cause propose to sit in the
lookout chair myself an see that every man
comes to the 'front.'
The next morning bright and early Jake
knocked at my door. We'll parson,' he said,
the game has just shut down, and here's the
proceeds of the rake-off.' With that he
took lot of gold and greenbacks from his
pockets and handed them to me. The
amount was. $3.50, and with that l built the
first church in Butte City,"